Provoking a Preacher to Anger.
A man was once employed to provoke a certain preacher to anger, and he undertook the task in the following manner:— "Sir," said he, "you are a fool!" "I know that," said the preacher, "and knew it some time before you mentioned it to me." "I know that, and have been trying to be clear from it by learning to know myself." "You are not fit to preach." "I know that, and daily wonder that God should bless an instrument so unfit for such an important work." "You ought to be carried out of town, to have justice done you." "I know that, and, according to justice, out of the world too, for I long ago forfeited my life." "You are not worthy of the notice of any respectable character on earth." "I know that, and yet these are the only characters who take any respectable notice of me." "You are not worth talking to, or with." "I know that, and it is singular that you should acknowledge it, and then spend your time in acting contrary to what you say is true." "I never saw such a person as you are." "I know that; but I cannot say so of you, for your father's children are numerous, and there is a family likeness through the whole."